I wish all of you a blessed holiday with family and friends. I pray that you all make it home safely from school and back again. I pray that you make a commitment to walk even closer with God than you did the year before. I pray that this New Year brings with it success, encouragement and advancement in your life and studies.
I pray that even when you face difficulties you do not allow them to discourage you but to help you see God's hand even clear and to understand his will even more.
We will begin our weekly blogs in February. I hope this year that you will respond and share not only the blog with others in need but that you would also share your prayer request and testimonies of the good things God has done in your life. Let's talk in the New Year. God bless!
There are many reasons we celebrate Christmas. We are looking forward to the big presents and the home cooked meals. Well, those are all great, but there is so much more for us to be excited about Christmas and that is JESUS. Jesus is the reason for the season.
While it might seem like just a saying, there is so much truth to that statement. Without Jesus, there would be no reason to celebrate what his birth brought us, which is the gift of salvation to mankind. This is the greatest gift ever given and it is beautiful when it is received by those that God has offered it to.
After you view this video share what the name of Jesus means to you? What is your desire for the holiday and what is your commitment for the New Year? Share your thoughts and let us pray collectively for that to happen. So view the music and then, Let's Talk..........
Today, I want you to watch these two videos. They are titled, "The Gift that Keeps on Giving". This first one is from a clip of a movie about the book of John. After viewing that message, go to the second video.
This video is part two of this set. The reason I chose to show these two videos is because we often think about the holiday's as happy times and everyone having great fun. But what about the person that maybe is not feeling so happy or having a difficult time with the holidays? Maybe it isn't you, but as you watch these videos think about how you can be one that gives the gift that keeps giving. It was the gift first given to you now can you pass it on?
My prayer for each of you is that you would have a wonderful Christmas holiday with your family and friends. This is the last posting until the New Year because many of you ar going home for the holiday and won't be back until mid-January. God bless you and keep you safe during this year.
Some have already gone home for the holidays and others will be on their way this week. We won't post a message this week, but we wanted to tell you to be safe and have a blessed holiday with your families. Enjoy this song and we'll talk next week!
This week we want to prepare our hearts for the upcoming season of Christmas. I know it's not yet Thanksgiving, but we want to begin to be thankful for the things God has done in our lives.
As you listen to this song, think about the words uses to describe God and Jesus. As you listen to the song answer this question, Why should you be thankful for the gift given to us by Christ? Answer it and then Let's talk.........
I know it's not Easter and that seems to be the only time we share the Passion of Christ. However, as we prepare to have Thanksgiving with our family and friends, I thought it was important for us to really examine what we are thankful for.
If you have accepted Christ as your savior then Christmas and Easter are holidays that you can look forward to because of who you belong to. If you have not accepted Christ as your savior, I want you to take a real look at this video and realize that all Jesus is going through is done for you.
As believers we need to remind ourselves of the ugliness of what our sins did to Christ. And when we do, we should want to live for him with our whole heart. Today after you watch the video and listen to the music video tell us what this videos makes you think about or feel. Let's talk....
This weeks lesson is on being of a good courage. Listen to this song, how can you find encouragement? What does this song tell us about finding encouragement in God? What can you share that might help someone else find encouragement?
When you hear this song along with listening to the message for today, what do you think is the message for us today? The battle is not yours, then whose is it? Who will fight your battles? What do you think? Let's Talk.....
This week we have a lesson that talks about loving not the world. How do you and I accomplish that? This song Grace gives us an idea. After listening to the song, how do you think you and I are able to accomplish the things God tells us to do? What do you think you need God to help you with? Share it this week so that we can pray together for God's grace to help us accomplish his will of being set aside.
This week Minister Tracy Burkins presents his first in a series of message for the College Online Ministry and Encouragement. This week, his lesson is titled Love not the World.
The scripture reference is found in John 2:15-17 and John 14:15-24. Listen to what Minister Burkin has to present to you that would encourage your spirit. God bless.
This week we continue to look at the condition of the heart. What does this song speak to you? What does it mean to "never lost your praise"? How do you keep yourself from becoming discouraged and wanting to give up?
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13
This lesson also covers giving the heart in Love (Deut. 6:5), in obedience (Psalms 119:2), in trust (Provers 3:5), in prayer (Jeremiah 29:13) and in repentance (Joel 2:12). Watch and be blessed.
This week we continue with Rev. Arnetta Ivy on the heart. Listen to this song, "Create in me a clean heart" by Donnie McClurkin.
Why do you think it is important to have a clean heart? What is the way to have a clean heart? Why do you think the heart condition is so important? Let's discuss what you think. Let's Talk...
Galatians 5:22-24 (NIV). But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passion and desire.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NKJ) Search me, O God and know my heart; Try me and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked (sinful) way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
I hope this weeks lesson is an encouragement to you. Come back next week. We still have one more lesson from Minister Mario Jenkins regarding the heart of man and the love of God. In the upcoming weeks look for Minister Tracy Burkins and Minister Jewel D. Williams.
Let us heart from you about this lesson. Let's talk....
This song by CeCe Winans is titled, "Come fill my heart". We are listening this week to a message about the heart. What does this song tell you regarding the heart of man?
What does this song speak to you? About your condition or your place with God? How are you moved by this song in regards to your spiritual life?
We want to hear from you today about worship and it's importance to you, Let's talk....
In this week's lesson, Rev. Arnetta Ivy tells about the condition of the heart. She talks about an unhealthy heart. If you have any questions please share them and Rev. Arnetta Ivy would be happy to answer them.
What's your comments? Do you believe the condition of your heart is important? Why or why not? Post your responses, we want to hear from you, Let's talk...
We are talking again this week about your worship experience. We all have a different idea about what worship is and how to accomplish it. Let's talk this week about what you think worship is. How do you prepare for worship? What music do you like to listen to that helps you prepare your mind for worship? Share one of your worship experiences, what made it so different? I want to hear from you.
This week, we present another message preview that we heard from Bishop Timothy Clarke the pastor of First church in Columbus Ohio. listen to the message and find encouragement about the change God can make in your life.
This week starts a new section on the blog, entitled, "What's on your mind?" This is a time for dialogue. Often I hear from young people that no one wants to listen, well, I'm listening but we cannot make changes or help unless we know what it is that you are passionate about.
I featured the song, Love him like I do, because that is how I feel about God. I am passionate about worshipping the Lord. I love to go to church, to sing and to hear the message, but is that your experience?
Our dialogue for today is this: What is your idea of worship? What do you feel about going to church? If you could set up what you thought a church services should be, what would it look like? And finally how can you add to the worship experience (your own and to others)? Let's talk!
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. - Romans 3:22-24
This has been a hectic week, but I made a commitment to present a word each week to encourage each of you on your walk. I found this short clip but thought it had much to say. The speakers name is Pastor Shawn McBride. While he does not mention a particular scripture in this piece, I thought of the scripture above as I listened to his clip.
The truth is no matter how much we try to do things on our own, we are going to get it wrong. We fall short often in our lives and are unable to get it right. You do your best in school, try to make friends, do well in classes and sometimes even with all your efforts, it just does not go right.
But there is a way for something to go right in your life, and that is your walk with God. If you will put your trust in Jesus, you can (and he will help you do it) live for him sucessfully. You don't have to be a knockoff or a generic, but you can be a unique brand, who he made you to be.
I pray that this week each of you grasp this truth, God made you to be a unique addition to this world. God placed in you something he did not place in anyone else. Use those gifts, talents and abilities to give him honor.
If you have a prayer request please leave it in the comment section and we will pray for your needs. We also ask that you would begin to share this weekly blogs with your roommates and friends. Are there some topics or scripture you would like explained, then please let us know. This is for you and about you and your needs. God bless you and next week we will again be presenting another message of encouragement from one of the many ministers that committed to helping you in your walk.
Minister Mario Jenkins message comes from this scripture (mainly verse 10). I have placed the entire psalm so that you can read what David was asking of God for based on his sinful condition.
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ; you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar. - Psalm 51
Other scriptures that Minister Mario mention are:
II Samuel 12
Genesis 6:5 - The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
Jeremiah 29:13 - You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Revelation 3:20 - Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
If you have any questions please send your comments and if there is anything you would like Minister Mario to explain, send us your questions.
Do you have a prayer request, let us know so we can pray with you.
Note: Minister Mario states David sent Bathsheba's "son" to battle, he meant Bathsheba's husband.
Completing this first installment of the C.O.M.E. was not as easy as I thought, so I rejoice that it is finished! I hope you enjoy Minister James' encouragement to you today. We look for your input.
Are there some questions you have?
Are there some scriptures you would like to have explained? Some thoughts or input?
Do you have any questions about this scripture and you want to have it explained? Send us your comments and questions and we will answer them. We also do not want you to miss the invitation to salvation. If you are not saved and want to know the Lord, you can know him right now. There is a scripture listed along the side of the blog, after reading it if you have more questions, please feel free to ask. God bless you until next week!
"Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD" Psalm 34:11
This scripture is our admonishment to come to God and learn from him. More now than every, you need to continue to strengthen yourself in the word. You are away from home and making more decisions on your own. We want you to know you are not alone. We want to walk with you and encourage you in your Christian journey.
Many youth leaders are excited about sharing a message of encouragement with you. We also want you, the college students to encourage each other. Send us a message that we can share with each other. You do not have to be a preacher to encourage someone. Share your testimony of how you got saved, or how God did something in your life. These are all the things that help us continue to make it on our journey.
Well I welcome you to the new site C.O.M.E which stands for College online Ministry and Encouragment. Clink below to view the message.
